Fairmont High School - Maple Leaves Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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gre? M A D I. E LEAVE Whafs This World Coming To? The Fletchett Company has not been industrious. We have just won the loving cup for being the best loafers in the United States. We are forced to confess that we were not wise enough to get out of this business before we started. But, for various reasons, we had to get busy on this, our latest scenario, submitted by Jessie McQueen. We must say that it was worth the effort of starting on it, and it may prove to be one of the best photo- plays of the year. WHAT'S THIS WORLD COMING TO? RClSAI.lNIl WARNER ........ Heroine AUN1' HPINRIETTA . ..... Semi-Heroine JACK Ascucmu- r . ....... One of Ro.vaIin.fl'x Admirers IN FOUR ACTS ACT I Scene-A small, bright, clean kitchen. Miss Henrietta Warner is busy preparing supper. Rosalind, her niece, dressed with severe plainness, is seated near, pealing potatoes. She has a rebellious look on her face. ISS HENRIETTA-Hurry up, child, it's nearly six and we must, have supper at half-past, exactly. The one virtue in this life to me is prompt- ness. No matter where you're at, always be prompt. It is polite, and it is maidenly. No-one ever-Rosalind, are you listening? Rosalind Cmeeklyj-No, aunt, I was thinking of the picnic. Miss H.-A picnic? R.-Y-y-es. The Senior Class is planning one on the shores of the lake to- morrow. The parents of the students are all invited. You can go, Aunt Hetty, and--Aunt Hetty, since it is my birthday, won't you go and take me? I've been trying to muster up courage enough for two hours to ask you. Aunt H. Qsternlyj-Well, Rosalind, you know I don't approve of such doings, sentimental boys and frivolous girls spending the whole day together out on the water, swimming and in canoes. It has always been my aim- R. Cfinishing sentencel--to keep me as prim and Priscilla-like as possible. Oh, Aunt Hetty, I can't bear it any longer. The idea of my wearing these-and this-Cpointing to her shoes and dressj and my hair this way-when other girls all try to look their prettiest. It's a darn shame, and I d0n't care what you say about it. I-I-I-'Oh-h-h-fbursting into tearsj. H Aunt H. fmelting a littlej--There, there, dear, don't take it so hard. I'm too old to go, but-well-since it is your birthday you may go without me. I allers did believe in giving people something they really wanted on their birthdays. R. Clooking up through her tearsj--Oh, Aunt Hettyl You've given me such a delightful birthday present. Thank you! thank you a thousand times! fplants a joyous kiss on her aunt's forehead, and goes spinning out of the rooml. Aunt -VVell, if that ainit the beatin'est. Just like her dear mother. fPonder- ing generously to herselfj: She had better take enough for two or three extrag someone might forget theirs. I'- R. fcoming in with head downje-A-aunt Hetty. I-I'm sorry-Qtwisting her handsj: I talked so rude to y-you a few minutes ag-go-I-I- Aunt H.-Never you mind child, I understand. QCurtain.j f ' 'tl Page One Hundred Twenty

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sa-524 NAAFDL LEAVE Shortly after midnight Buster galloped excitedly in. We've found him, and they're bringing him. Get ready. After being rubbed and dosed, the big bulk of Nellie stirred. Then he opened his eyes and tried to speak. It's all right. Save your breath, boy, Tom ordered. We understand now. The steer? Oh, the steer waded ashore. No matter about him! I tried. You bet you did! If I'd knowed what I know now-you see-you-told me to read that letter. The big fellow smiled wanly. It wasn't my life I cared for, but my life ain't my own, yet.-Maybe-it was just a joke-to hear my heart beat, but you don't hear my heart. You hear Ma's. Turn over and go to sleep. That heart of yours-never mind that heart-Let her thump, old Tom retorted. Why, you're-you're-VVhen I think of how you stood up agin all that devilment, and nary a whimper-That's plum grit, man. W'e're proud to have you with the bar X. Old Tom paused. Betty-well, when you can see her, sheis got something to say, too. She knows you now. Bent closed his eyes. Again his heart thumped unruly. For what Betty would say, and what he some day might say-who knew-save he and she? FLORA BILLINGHAM, '25. A TALL STORY WO small males of the Ethiopian race, equally hedecked in tatters and smiles, were seated, side by side, bare feet caressing the gutter, on a curb in the aristocratic section of Fairmont. They were silent, their large, respec- tive pairs of eyes never failed to take in even the slightest detail of each passing vehicle. Their small brown hands were dug deep into two pairs of little khaki pockets: they were obviously in want of further entertainment. Suddenly half of the little picture doubled up in an apparent bit of convul- sions. His companion turned two disapproving but dully interested orbs on the afflicted one. Wha-wha-what's de matta, bo'? He-oo-oo-I was jes' a finkin'. A finkin' a' what? We-ell, I read a tory-an-an-an I was jes' a finkin' of it. Aw-whawuzzut F Y-y-ou'll be scaihedf' N-no. I won'. Umm, 'iss 'tory uz in one a' Pappy's mag'zines called De Cabe of Death. 'Ere wuzza man, he lived in 'is cave, an, anebry time a man come by dar, he jump out and kill 'im, an' take 'im in a cave, an-an-ebery time he go arobbin' any buddy he lef' a han' or a foot, or a finner, or a toe in de place he tuk de things fum. An-an-an one nite, un eberything wuz still, he-e wen' home ter his cave, a-an' went to sleep, an-an-oooo-I cayn't g'wan, you-you.', Ne'er min' about me-jes-g'wan-I- An-an de next mawnin' he woke up, an-an his han' wuz cut off-and eber mawnin' sulnpun of him wuz gone, an-an one day, the people found 'im up dar, an' de haid it rez up an hit sez, sez ee. An-an den-an-den-an- Ooooo-Chim-g'wan, wha wuzzit hit sez ? An' den, de magizine hit say,-hit say,--in great big print, hit say-TO BE CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT! Das wot de magizine say! u u Page One Hundred Nineteen

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.ga MADLE LEAVE D ACT II ' SCENE'-TllC picnic grounds Qeveryone is eatingj First H. S. girl-Hey, you, over there, pass me the pickles! Second H. S. girl-Aw, you don't need 'em. You're one yourself. 1 fLaughter and general merriment reigns. Banterings are tossed from one side of the stage to the other. Rosalind and Jack are standing together at front.j J. Qgreedilyjhliosie, give me one of your sandwiches. They look better than any body else's. R.-Certainly, Jack, and here's a piece of my cake, too. J.-M-m-m-what good cake. Did you make it yourself, Rosalind? R.-Yes, Auntie taught me how. ' ' J. fwith sudden inspirationj--Say, Rosalind, may I come over Sunday evening for dinner, and will you cook it all by yourself? R. Qblushingj-WVhy-I-yes, Jack-if Aunt Henrietta is willing. You know she-er-sometimes-is-oh, you know I wouldnlt say anything against her- but you know? J. Clocking quite wisej-I'll manage Aunt Henrietta. fTo himselflz My, she looks different today. What a difference a little prirnping can make. She's charming! R. fto herself, playing with her new fluffy curlsj-If Aunt Henrietta is only willing! ACT III SCENE-A cozy living room. Rosalind is reading aloud to Aunt Henrietta from 13th chapter of lst Corinthians Rosalind- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the earth.,'- Aunt Henrietta, I've got something to tell you! ' Aunt H.-Rosalind, you musn't stop in the middle of a Scripture reading. Con- tinue. Rosalind- Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. -But Aunt Henrietta, please listen to me,-I-I-ought to have told you sooner but- --A Aunt H.-Have you no more respect for me and the Bible than that? Do be a little more staid. I forbid you to interrupt yourself again. Rosalind- Blessed are they -Jack Ashcraft asked me if he could come to dinner this evening, and I said-he-could-come. ' Aunt H.-VVhy, land sakes, Rosalind--why didnit you tell me before this? Rosalind I was afraid you'd say no! Aunt H.-Humph! IVe'll have to hurry now to get dinner. Rosalind-But, Aunt Henrietta.-He-he asked me tokto cook it all, myself. Aunt H.---Why, Rosalind Brand! VVhat next are you going to do? The very idea. Any one would think he was trying you out for his wife. CSinks weakly back in chair, mutteringlz What-what is this wild world coming to? CKnock at doorj R.-There he comes now, Aunt Henrietta-fwildlyj-Iill g-oo meet 'him fsprings up and starts at doorj. Aunt H.-Come back here, Rosalind. I'll meet this impertinent young man at the door and tell him what I think of his impertinence fstriding towards door. Rosalind starts after her, biting her lips and catching her breathj. QAunt Henrietta opens door and Jack enters.j Jack-Hello, Aunt Henrietta. I made Rosalind promise to cook me a good dinner this evening, and I am here for that purpose Cshakes hand quickly, darts past her to an astonished Rosalindj. D Page One Hundred Twenty-One